I actually think the refereeing, on the whole, has been very good so far. I also get the feeling that the refs are reticent to whip out yellow cards as quickly as they have done in previous World Cups but I think that is a positive thing. There have been World Cups in the past where the card counts were getting ridiculous - this time round it seems as though the number of goals is ridiculous and that is something I'd like to see countinue!

The referees in the English Premier League had the same strategy last season when it came to dishing out cards.

Thank you, I really appreciate your comments! Updates will definitely continue.

Well, the Brazil penalty is justified, as there was a contact inside the penalty area. Obviously, Fred (the Brazilian player) exaggerated greatly, but we can give the refs the benefit of doubt. However, both goals from Mexico should have counted, and they can make a big difference if at the end of the group stage there's a point tie. Both offsides were invented, and the second one was in a corner kick! A corner kick! FIFA's rules of the game clearly specify that there's no offside in case of a corner kick. Those Colombian referees should really study the rulebook. I understand it's a tough job and I'm not at all against them, but you cannot invent an offside if you're not sure (first Mexican goal) or go against the rules of the game! And that's also the main referee's fault, it was a lack of concentration from both.

I wouldn't say it has been "very good", just plain good, hopefully it will get better. Kuipers was pretty good at England-Italy, because of both teams' fair play. I think the card strategy isn't good, we're just encouraging players to commit fouls without consequences!

Switzerland vs Ecuador starts in an hour. What should we expect from this match?

Switzerland vs Ecuador is underway.

I don't think it encourages players to commit fouls and there's evidence out there that shows that if players want to foul they'll foul irrespective of whether cards are given out or not. The "Battle of Nuremberg" (Netherlands v Portugal) in the 2006 World Cup where Valentin Ivanov dished out 16 yellow cards and 4 red cards; the World Cup Final in 2010 where Howard Webb gave 14 yellows and 1 red; the 2002 World Cup where the referee lost the plot and waved cards (16 yellows and 2 reds) for every minor infraction. Ultimately, players either want to play the game or they don't and if there is heat in a game right from the start there is very little a referee can do about it. There's a saying amongst rugby referees - "you can make a good game better, but you can't make a bad game good". That's not to say cards don't have their place but they should be viewed as just one tool in a referee's extensive management toolbox. If you compare the refereeing to the general standard in 2002 and 2006, the performances, with a couple of exceptions, have been very good particularly from the European contingent.

Ravshan Irmatov is refereeing the next game - he had an excellent tournament in 2010 and I hope he does well this afternoon!

In terms of the quality of the games themselves, this tournament is already a major improvement on South Africa 2010 - hope it continues!

The tournament is much better than past editions so far! I agree, hopefully it will continue. And I do remember Irmatov doing a great job in South Africa, and I don't think today's game will be hard to handle for him.

Just when I was about to post this wasn't a good game so far, at 21', Ecuador scores! 1-0 against Switzerland.

The first controversial play of the game, a hand touched the ball in Ecuador's area. The hand, however, was not intentional, and the penalty was not sanctioned. Good choice by Uzbek ref Irmatov.

Walter Ayovi's foul deserved a yellow card, yet it was not given...

At the end of the first half, Ecuador 1-0 Switzerland. Not a great game so far, but it has potential to improve greatly in the second half.

The second half has begun.

At 47' Switzerland scores! 1-1.

At '70, the score is still tied. Switzerland, though, scores a goal but the ref said it was an offside. 1-1.

After watching the replay, it was not an offside, as the player did not touch the ball. It was a tough play, impossible to see for the refs because of how quickly it developed, but after seeing it slowly on TV, I don't think it was an offside. Switzerland still insisting, they might get a goal. Ecuador has lowered its level, although a mistake from Benaglio almost costs Switzerland the game!

1-1 at 74'.

At 93', Switzerland scores and wins the game! What an amazing turn of events, although well-deserved.

Switzerland 2-1 Ecuador.

France-Honduras is about to start. What do we expect from this one?

National anthems of both squads, as well as the FIFA anthem, were not played because of failures in the sound system.

Now this one looks like a naughty game Lpez - will see what happens!

Yes, France is playing offensive, it looks like it will be a good game, hopefully with not too many fouls. Brazilian Sandro Ricci, referee of the game, will have a tough job with keeping discipline, lets hope it doesn't get out of control!

At 20', France-0-0 Honduras. Looks like a quite promising game.

Wow, at 24', France has already made more than four plays with goal opportunities! We should see a goal soon.

France 0-0 Honduras.

At 25', consequences of the rough game start to show. A hard foul sparks both teams, there are two players on the ground. The game is getting out of control... I insist, cards!

Pogba deserved the red card.

At 40', the game is 0-0. Will CONCACAF remain as the only unbeaten confederation? (Mexico and Costa Rica have already won). Will Honduras give us another surprise?